Two Tar Heels Receive Prestigious Preseason Honor Ahead of 2024 Season

The 2024 college football season is still more than a month away for the North Carolina Tar Heels as they will open up the new campaign on the road against the Minnesota Golden Gophers on Aug. 29.

However, before we can look forward to Week 1, the Tar Heels have a couple of players on the team getting recognized for their performance last season and what they could do this year on the gridiron.

The Walter Camp Foundation announced earlier this month that North Carolina running back Omarion Hampton and tight end Bryson Nesbit were named to their preseason All-American team. 

Hampton and Oklahoma State running back Ollie Gordon II were the only two running backs named to the All-American first-team offense. Hampton was a 2023 First Team Walter Camp All-Selection last season after rushing for 1,504 yards and 15 touchdowns on 253 carries. He also was a factor in the receiving game, with 29 receptions for 222 yards and a touchdown.

The 6-foot running back enters the 2024 season as one of the best running backs in the ACC and the country. With UNC not having Drake Maye and Devontez Walker on offense, the Tar Heels will lean heavily on Hampton this season.

As for Nesbit, he was the lone tight end named to the All-American second-team defense. The 6-foot-6 pass catcher is coming off his second-straight 500-plus yard season with the Tar Heels.

Last season, Nesbit recorded 41 receptions for 585 yards and five touchdowns. Nesbit will likely have a larger role in the Tar Heels’ offense with Walker departing for the NFL. 

The Tar Heels don’t have a ton of expectations and are considered a long shot to win the ACC this season (+3000 on DraftKings Sportsbook). However, Hampton and Nesbit are two great players that whoever the Tar Heels have at QB can leave on.

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